| 摘要 |
<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water heater which can effectively inhibit the propagation of bacteria within piping. <P>SOLUTION: The water heater 10, for feeding hot water stored in a hot water storage tank 3 to a bathtub 4, includes: a reheating conduit 7 for circulating hot water in a bathtub 4; a flow rate detection device 13 for detecting the volume in the piping of the reheating conduit 7; a sterile water producing device 1 which produces and stores sterile water; and a sterile water flowing means which causes sterile water stored in the sterile water producing device 1 to flow through the reheating conduit 7. The sterile water flowing means adjusts the amount of the sterile water to be caused to flow based on the volume in the piping of the reheating conduit 7. Preferably, the sterile water flowing means causes the sterile water to flow through the reheating conduit 7 in such a state that hot water is not stored in the bathtub 4. Further, immediately after causing the sterile water to flow, the hot water of the amount corresponding to the volume in the piping of the reheating conduit 7 is caused to flow through the reheating conduit 7. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2012,JPO&INPIT |
